Not every teacher has the luxury of working with a paraprofessional in the classroom. But I am here to tell you a good parapro is worth their weight in gold (and in many cases, even more!). I want to share tips and ideas I've heard or collected over the years to make this working relationship the very best it can be. Please note that I use the terms paraprofessional, aide, and parapro ... [ Read More ]
FREE Digital Math Fact Tracking Sheet
A few weeks ago a teacher friend asked me if I knew of a digital math fact tracking sheet. I did a few quick searches, but I kept coming up empty handed. She wanted something that would work for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division since she teaches second grade where the ability levels can vary a great deal. Knowing how important student documentation is, I knew I had to figure ... [ Read More ]
8 Ways to Increase Student Engagement
"My students are so bored. They never listen to me; instead they do their own thing." Have you ever heard a colleague or new teacher say something like this? Or maybe this is you? Regardless, there are ways to increase student engagement and get more student buy in. Today I want to share nine different ideas with you. 1. CARE! When students know you care about them they're more ... [ Read More ]
4 Reasons NOT to Use Magic Square Puzzles
Have you considered using Magic Square Puzzles in your classroom? Are you unsure whether they'll work for you and your students? Today I'm showing you four reasons NOT to use Magic Square Puzzles, because they just might not be for you and your students... 1. Your students already have too much fun in school. If your students are already engaged and learning basic concepts in a fun, hands-on ... [ Read More ]
Indoor Recess Preparation: Low Prep Ideas
No teacher (or student for that matter) likes to hear that you're going to have indoor recess. But with indoor recess preparation you can dread that announcement a little less and your students will enjoy the variety of activities you have ready and waiting for them. Grab a box or tub where you can store all of your great indoor recess materials. Then fill it up with the great ideas ... [ Read More ]
Teaching Classroom Procedures and Expectations
There's so much "advice" out there for teachers who are having classroom management problems. You can read books, blogs, get information from the teachers down the hall, and some parents may even tell you how to do your job. But today I want to talk to you about how to prevent problems in the first place. That's why we're going to dive into teaching classroom procedures and expectations. This ... [ Read More ]
Math Puzzles for Elementary Students
Math can be a tough subject for many students. Yet we all know that if we can find ways to keep students engaged, they're going to like the material more, focus, and learn better. That's where they math puzzles for elementary students come into play! Read on to learn how you can take an every day math puzzle and help your students become experts on their basic math facts. First, I'm sure you're ... [ Read More ]
Getting Parents On Your Side As An Educator
Getting parents on your side can sometimes be a challenge for teachers, but it doesn't have to be that way! I've taught in a variety of schools over the years, and I've never really struggled with parent/guardian interactions. Instead, I've implemented the strategies below. If you do the same, you can get parents on your side right from the first day of school! - 1. Start the School ... [ Read More ]
Getting Your Classroom to Manage Itself
Getting your classroom to manage itself can be a challenge, but it doesn't have to be! With a little extra thought and planning on your part, you can have a class that functions nearly on their own without you even present. How great would it be to know your class will be well-behaved for a sub, when an administrator walks into the room, or even when you simply need to step into the hallway for a ... [ Read More ]
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